The Choice

Chapter 3: Second Meeting

Kathleen woke up early to start exercising her body. She often do this after a mission, maybe to get rid of the guilt or to forget all those blood splattered on the floor. For today, she jogged around the park at 5 in the morning. She always does this if she finds time. Or when she has no work to finish. Literally finish.

"Huh? Something's weird here. It's awfully quiet." Kathleen thought to herself while looking around the place.

There were less people in the park than when she usually jogs. It's a very unusual sight seeing the park with lesser people than what you most often see. Even though it was that early many people would always jog the way she does. But now, there was something odd.

"Never mind that. I need to finish jogging so that I can train with Callen next." Kathleen said to herself.

The air feels fresh and cool when she jogs against them. Her mind was on to something deep that she didn’t notice that she was about to bump into a person.

"Tog!" A soft thud sounded as their shoulders bumped.

Unfortunately, it was Jake Wilson. The police officer she was often thinking about. She was probably thinking about him too when she bumped him. All that was in her mind is Jake Wilson although she doesn't know his name at that time.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought and I didn’t noti-“ she stopped.

“It’s fine. But,  you don’t look like one, are you okay?” he asked.

She stared at him. Lost in space. For some reason, Kathleen never expected them to meet like this. You know, bumping each other in the park.

“Uhh, Uhm, Yeah. I am. It's just a bump. I was just lost in thought, I guess. Sorry again.” she replied.

“Huh, are you sure? Well, if you say so. By the way, I’m Jake. What’s yours?” he quickly asked.

“Uhhmm…I…I’m..I’m Kathleen. Kathleen Sterling.” she answered back. 

“Pleasure to meet you. Would you like to have some coffee? You look like you need some.” He teased.

“Uhh, yeah, sure.” Kathleen replied.

They both went for coffee. They sat facing each other. Both a bit shy since they just met, accidentally.

"What's your order, sir?" one of the waitress approached them.

"I would like an espresso." Jake answered.

"And I would take cappucino." Kathleen added.

"Who shall I name it to?" she asked.

"Jake. My name." he smiled.

"Okay, sir. It'll be right up. Please approach the counter when your name is called." the waitress left them. 

There was a sudden silence. Jake was busy with his phone. He looked like he was waiting for a phone call while Kathleen was obliviously staring down on the ground. Even for an assassin , it is very hard to interact with strangers especially when that stranger is always in your mind. She cannot handle the awkwardness and started a conversation instead.

“So uhh, what do you do for a living?” Kathleen asked to break the ice. But it was kind of the wrong choice for a topic to discuss, work.

“I’m a police officer and I’m in charge of Tris’ Black’s case.” He proudly answered. “How about you? What do you do for a living?”

Kathleen was stunned. The very first person that got on her mind was the person who in time will catch her. She started to stutter.

“I…Uhh…I’m jobless.” She answered. She didn’t think of anything else to cover.